Weather SOL 6.3 and 6.6

Earth’s Energy Budget 30% reflected back into space 70% absorbed by atmosphere, clouds, land, and oceans Ultraviolet radiant energy is changed to infrared on earth and then radiated back into space.

Earth’s Energy Budget

Energy Transfers Radiation brings all of the energy to the Earth from the sun Convection currents redistribute the energy throughout the atmosphere and the oceans because the Earth’s surface is heated unevenly.

Currents in the Atmosphere and Oceans It is currents that redistribute the energy all over the planet that comes from the sun. The average mean temperature is fairly warm because of these currents. Currents are caused by density differences between hot and cold.

Cloud Formation As bodies of water (oceans, lakes, rivers, etc.) absorb thermal energy, the water evaporates causing the air to be warm and moist. Warm, moist air is less dense than cold, dry air, so it rises relative to colder, drier air. As warm, moist air rises, it gives off some thermal energy as the moisture condenses, forming clouds. Clouds are not gaseous water vapor; rather they are minute, condensed water particles

Cloud Formation Water evaporates into vapor, it then rises into the atmosphere. It is much cooler in the upper troposphere so the water vapor condenses forming clouds

Types of Clouds indicator of atmospheric conditions

Weather Causes Weather is caused by the unequal heating of the Earth’s surface. Warm air rises and cool air sinks Warm air is high pressure and cold air is low pressure Low pressure causes some of the worst weather on Earth

Land is strongly heated and ground is cooler. May cause tornadoes if enough energy is presen. form over tropical oceans and get energy from warm water.

Atmosphere The Earth’s atmosphere is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and the rest trace gases including; argon, carbon dioxide, and water vapor

Air Pressure Air pressure is the amount of air pushing down on us It is measured by a barometer Low pressure means lousy weather High pressure means fair weather Increase in altitude decrease in air pressure

Humidity Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air The more humid the air is the more uncomfortable you feel 100% humidity is fog It is measured with a psychrometer or hygrometer Dew point is the temperature at which the air becomes 100% humid

Atmospheric Layers There are 4 layers of the atmosphere Each is based on temperature Troposphere is where we live, all weather takes place, and clouds are found Stratosphere is where the jet stream and the ozone layer is found Mesosphere is the coldest and stops most meteorites burn up Thermosphere is the top layer, it is divided into the ionosphere (northern lights) and the exosphere (satellites)

Weather Maps

Weather Symbols

Isobars-connect areas of equal pressure

Clean Air Forest fires and volcanic eruptions are two natural processes that affect Earth’s atmosphere. Many gaseous compounds and particles are released into the atmosphere by human activity. All of the effects of these materials are not yet fully understood Maintaining good air quality is a crucial goal for modern society, and it is everyone’s responsibility to work toward it. Ozone, a form of oxygen, can form near the surface when exhaust pollutants react with sunlight. This pollutant can cause health problems. Naturally occurring ozone is also found in the upper atmosphere and helps to shield Earth from ultraviolet radiation.

Are you feeling smarter? Only a little more to go! Yeah right!!!!!!